Search form

Explosive device found at Winship Middle School

The following is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office:

On 2-22-2014, at approximately 9:38 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible bomb at the Winship Middle School campus.

The reporting party told Sheriff’s Dispatch they saw two, (2) liter sized bottles filled with liquid near the south east corner of the basketball court area. Deputies responded to the scene, along with Humboldt Bay Fire and Ambulance personnel. The area where the possible explosive devices were located was cordoned off until Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad personnel arrived to deal with the possible destructive devices. The deputies could see areas on the black top where it appeared other bottles had recently been discharged.

After the Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad rendered the bottles safe, they determined they contained an acid, similar to sulfuric acid. The bottles could have caused significant injury had they exploded near someone. There were children playing in the area at the time the devices were discovered.

Possession of an explosive device is a felony with possible imprisonment of up to six years. Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.